What do you think?
Rate this book
A Cordell Logan Mystery #3
Voodoo Ridge
In 1956 a plane bearing mysterious cargo takes off from a small airport outside Los Angeles and disappears into a raging storm. Nearly 60 years later, while flying over the Sierra Nevada, retired military assassin turned civilian flight instructor and would-be Buddhist Cordell Logan catches a glint of sunlight on metal and spots what appears to be an aircraft wreckage. His life will never be the same.
Logan and his beautiful ex-wife, Savannah, plan a reconciliation in posh Lake Tahoe. But upon landing in the Ruptured Duck, his beloved aging Cessna, Logan agrees to put those plans on hold when he's asked to help guide a search-and-rescue team to the remote, mountainous crash site. The team finds not only a long-missing airplane, with the mummified remains of its pilot still at the controls, but something much more recent and far more sinister: the body of a young man, shot to death only hours earlier. Someone has beaten the rescuers to the site and will clearly stop at nothing to profit from what the plane was carrying - including kidnapping and threatening to kill Savannah if Logan refuses to help them carry out their getaway plans. With the clock ticking and the love of his life in peril, Logan is drawn into a vexing vortex as personal and potentially deadly as any he's ever known.
Voodoo Ridge is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride filled with the kind of unexpected twists, full-throttle action, and wry humor that won Freed's Flat Spin and Fangs Out, the first two installments in the Cordell Logan mystery series, rave reviews and a legion of loyal fans.
Logan and his beautiful ex-wife, Savannah, plan a reconciliation in posh Lake Tahoe. But upon landing in the Ruptured Duck, his beloved aging Cessna, Logan agrees to put those plans on hold when he's asked to help guide a search-and-rescue team to the remote, mountainous crash site. The team finds not only a long-missing airplane, with the mummified remains of its pilot still at the controls, but something much more recent and far more sinister: the body of a young man, shot to death only hours earlier. Someone has beaten the rescuers to the site and will clearly stop at nothing to profit from what the plane was carrying - including kidnapping and threatening to kill Savannah if Logan refuses to help them carry out their getaway plans. With the clock ticking and the love of his life in peril, Logan is drawn into a vexing vortex as personal and potentially deadly as any he's ever known.
Voodoo Ridge is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride filled with the kind of unexpected twists, full-throttle action, and wry humor that won Freed's Flat Spin and Fangs Out, the first two installments in the Cordell Logan mystery series, rave reviews and a legion of loyal fans.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
10 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
David Freed
36 books216 followersDavid was born on an Air Force base in the Deep South, grew up the son of a cop along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and decided to give writing a shot soon after realizing that his grade point average would never get him into medical school. As an investigative journalist, most notably with the Los Angeles Times, he chronicled affairs of state, all manner of catastrophes, and the activities of the US military, including Operation Desert Storm. He spent myriad hours hunting for smoking guns in dusty archives, meeting confidential sources in bars and parking garages, and digging through trash cans long after midnight. Along the way, he shared in a Pulitzer Prize and won a few other shiny awards that occupy a box in his attic. He later became a Hollywood screenwriter paid to pen mostly action movies that were rarely produced, and, later still, an asset working with the U.S. intelligence community. David has been a licensed pilot for more than 30 years. He is a contributing editor at Air & Space Smithsonian magazine, a special assistant professor of journalism at Colorado State University, and teaches creative writing at Harvard's Extension School.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 19, 2014
Third in the Cordell Logan Mystery series. My first. Logan’s an intriguing character with his Buddhist studies (though NO ONE can truly be a Buddhist and NOT be a vegan. Buddhists DO NOT KILL unless threatened.), his past experience with counter-intelligence and his current job as a flight instructor. All this gives him insight into cases and the wherewithal to get to places many can’t very easily access. In Voodoo Ridge , Logan and his ex-wife decide they’re going to marry for the second time up at Lake Tahoe. They fly in for the weekend when Logan notices an abandoned plane in the mountains. It turns out to be an abandoned government issued 1959 plane that had been carrying dangerous cargo. A deep mystery involving secret weapons linked to a CIA weapons testing unravels with which Logan becomes involved.
Not sure that Logan has a cross-sectional appeal. So many sexist comments and macho elements cloud a rather strong thriller concept. At one point Logan says: “He’d kidnapped my woman, terrorized her gentle soul.” Yeah yeah Logan. Get over yourself. YOUR woman? NO woman, no person is YOUR property. Icky. Strike. Then at another point he goes to a library and has an interaction with a female librarian: “Her smile was one part professional and about three parts lonely.” Oh David Freed. Can you BE any more clichéd and sexist? Strike. While Voodoo Ridge is a decent mystery and I wanted to see what the strange cargo was in the plane, I don’t care enough about Cordell Logan to keep reading his mystery series. He’s got too much of the guy-rescuing-pretty-and-helpless-women-ego.
January 30, 2018
The third installment in the Cordell Logan series is a winner. It begins with Logan and Savannah flying to Lake Tahoe to get remarried when Logan spots what appears to be the wreckage of an airplane on a mountain. He reports this to the police and accompanies them up into the mountains in search of survivors.
There are none. The pilot has been dead for decades and, in addition, there's a body of a man recently shot to death by the airplane itself and clear signs that someone had taken something from it.
Soon, Logan finds himself embroiled in an investigation that will have him risk everything he holds dear.
Excellent writing, pace, humor, and characters. And a clear sign that this series has lasting power.
Ray Porter narrated the audiobook and was his usual excellent self.
There are none. The pilot has been dead for decades and, in addition, there's a body of a man recently shot to death by the airplane itself and clear signs that someone had taken something from it.
Soon, Logan finds himself embroiled in an investigation that will have him risk everything he holds dear.
Excellent writing, pace, humor, and characters. And a clear sign that this series has lasting power.
Ray Porter narrated the audiobook and was his usual excellent self.
July 25, 2018
4.0 out of 5 - Enjoyable third installment in the Cordell Logan series
The adventures of Cordell Logan, wise cracking, cash-light flight instructor, aspiring Buddhist, and former black ops soldier continue. Logan has reconciled with his ex-wife, Savannah, and while flying up to Lake Tahoe to be remarried, he spots the wreckage of a plane and so begins a series of events that will change everything for Logan.
This is an entertaining mystery that moves along quickly and is a fitting conclusion to the three book story arc. As with his other books, Mr. Freed incorporates aviation as a key part of the plot. Although the Ruptured Duck (Cordell's airplane) is out of action for most of the story, the flight scenes are fun to read and feel real.
It is wonderful to have Ray Porter back in the captain's seat doing the narration. I enjoyed his performance in Flat Spin and missed his narration in Fangs Out.
The adventures of Cordell Logan, wise cracking, cash-light flight instructor, aspiring Buddhist, and former black ops soldier continue. Logan has reconciled with his ex-wife, Savannah, and while flying up to Lake Tahoe to be remarried, he spots the wreckage of a plane and so begins a series of events that will change everything for Logan.
This is an entertaining mystery that moves along quickly and is a fitting conclusion to the three book story arc. As with his other books, Mr. Freed incorporates aviation as a key part of the plot. Although the Ruptured Duck (Cordell's airplane) is out of action for most of the story, the flight scenes are fun to read and feel real.
It is wonderful to have Ray Porter back in the captain's seat doing the narration. I enjoyed his performance in Flat Spin and missed his narration in Fangs Out.
April 4, 2014
Cordell Logan has known lots of violence in his life. But now he’s trying hard for a Buddhist’s calm. It's logical, then, that the Cordell Logan mysteries, by David Freed, should be filled with so many instances of life's balance, frayed and renewed. And Voodoo Ridge is no exception.
Logan's struggles to make ends meet just might be over as he remarries the oil-rich wife who left him so in need of Buddhism and peace. A new leaf is turning in his life, perhaps. The former wife pays for a Lake Tahoe wedding and Logan flies her from LA in his beloved newly-repaired plane. But there’s a mystery to be solved on arrival, and Logan's dogged determination to figure out all the answers leads to danger, trouble, and grief.
Sometimes you read a book and beg the author “Please don’t go there.” And, of course, he does. Tom Clancy lets the bomb go off. Chris Cleave burns the stadium. And David Freed? You’ll have to read this and see. With plot twists and turns nicely balanced by twists of turns of character, the escape of flight offering its beautiful contrast to hard realities on the ground, and hope carefully measured against despair, this is a novel where everything might hang on a single snap decision. Meanwhile the reader is pulled along, sharing the agony of the moment, and waiting for light.
Voodoo Ridge is a worthy and powerful third entry in the Cordell Logan series. It comes the closest to losing its Buddhist balance, but hope still lingers and the reader clings to it as surely as Logan does by story’s end. “The Buddha said that uncertainty along the path of life is the only certainty,” he muses on the final page, then adds, “Sorry I stabbed you, buddy.”
Please, let there be more. And please, don’t let Logan change too much.
Disclosure: I was given a free preview edition by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
Logan's struggles to make ends meet just might be over as he remarries the oil-rich wife who left him so in need of Buddhism and peace. A new leaf is turning in his life, perhaps. The former wife pays for a Lake Tahoe wedding and Logan flies her from LA in his beloved newly-repaired plane. But there’s a mystery to be solved on arrival, and Logan's dogged determination to figure out all the answers leads to danger, trouble, and grief.
Sometimes you read a book and beg the author “Please don’t go there.” And, of course, he does. Tom Clancy lets the bomb go off. Chris Cleave burns the stadium. And David Freed? You’ll have to read this and see. With plot twists and turns nicely balanced by twists of turns of character, the escape of flight offering its beautiful contrast to hard realities on the ground, and hope carefully measured against despair, this is a novel where everything might hang on a single snap decision. Meanwhile the reader is pulled along, sharing the agony of the moment, and waiting for light.
Voodoo Ridge is a worthy and powerful third entry in the Cordell Logan series. It comes the closest to losing its Buddhist balance, but hope still lingers and the reader clings to it as surely as Logan does by story’s end. “The Buddha said that uncertainty along the path of life is the only certainty,” he muses on the final page, then adds, “Sorry I stabbed you, buddy.”
Please, let there be more. And please, don’t let Logan change too much.
Disclosure: I was given a free preview edition by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
September 3, 2016
As with Fangs Out and Flat Spin, Freed has created another engrossing and razor-sharp mystery adventure. Like all good authors, Freed writes what he knows, and his expertise lends the Cordell Logan series a rare authenticity. Freed has intimate and in-the-trenches knowledge of police investigations, military intelligence, and aviation, and it shows. Alongside James Salter, Freed may be the finest chronicler of what it’s like to fly a plane.
Like John McClane of the “Die Hard” series, Cordell Logan again finds himself at the center of the action, a reluctant and conflicted hero. Yet, despite some cursory similarities, Cordell bears only passing resemblance to the action/adventure archetype. He is cynical and prone to rage and violence. He also possesses wit, charm, a sense of duty, and a desire to change. A former operator, Cordell struggles to adjust to the civilian world, and careful readers will appreciate Freed’s thoughtful portrait of a post-military life. Cordell’s experiences, instincts, and training often hamstring him as he grasps for meaningful relationships and steady employment.
Voodoo Ridge’s setting provides Freed with an opportunity to take us deep into the shivering winter of the Tahoe Basin. Typically a tourist haven for Bay Area urbanites, the northern Sierras become an icy hell for protagonist Cordell Logan, and Freed captivates with vivid renderings of the hostile and unforgiving wilderness.
Voodoo Ridge is an excellent addition to the Cordell Logan series, and I can’t wait for the next.
Like John McClane of the “Die Hard” series, Cordell Logan again finds himself at the center of the action, a reluctant and conflicted hero. Yet, despite some cursory similarities, Cordell bears only passing resemblance to the action/adventure archetype. He is cynical and prone to rage and violence. He also possesses wit, charm, a sense of duty, and a desire to change. A former operator, Cordell struggles to adjust to the civilian world, and careful readers will appreciate Freed’s thoughtful portrait of a post-military life. Cordell’s experiences, instincts, and training often hamstring him as he grasps for meaningful relationships and steady employment.
Voodoo Ridge’s setting provides Freed with an opportunity to take us deep into the shivering winter of the Tahoe Basin. Typically a tourist haven for Bay Area urbanites, the northern Sierras become an icy hell for protagonist Cordell Logan, and Freed captivates with vivid renderings of the hostile and unforgiving wilderness.
Voodoo Ridge is an excellent addition to the Cordell Logan series, and I can’t wait for the next.
August 8, 2014
***I received a free copy in exchange for a review***
I loved this book. The author was great with voice and characterization. The story never left Cordell Logan’s sarcastic wit, and I loved every second of it. Even though the story was in first person point-of-view, I felt like I got to know everyone. The villains and good guys were all three-dimensional. I had three suspects of who was behind the sinister plan, and I was totally wrong. The author did a great job with red herrings!
My favorite lines: 1) “Yesterday. It seemed so long ago.” 2) “You get right to the point, don’t you?” “One of my many character flaws.” 3) “Patience, unfortunately has never been my strong suit.”
I’m a sucker for happy endings, so I was excited to see that Logan and Savannah were planning on getting married again. They went away on a honeymoon, never to be the same again. Logan spotted an airplane crash site and reported it. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be a good samaritan. His call led to criminals abducting Savannah to blackmail him into flying the dirty goods out of the state. I was very, very, very SHOCKED at what happened on page 235!!! I never expected that! It was cool that the author David Freed wasn’t afraid to go there. The ending gave me hope for Logan because let’s face it, he was my favorite character throughout the book.
I loved all the tension between Logan and his suspects of Savannah’s kidnapping. He wasn’t playing around! The end of the book made me sad (in a good way).
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
I loved this book. The author was great with voice and characterization. The story never left Cordell Logan’s sarcastic wit, and I loved every second of it. Even though the story was in first person point-of-view, I felt like I got to know everyone. The villains and good guys were all three-dimensional. I had three suspects of who was behind the sinister plan, and I was totally wrong. The author did a great job with red herrings!
My favorite lines: 1) “Yesterday. It seemed so long ago.” 2) “You get right to the point, don’t you?” “One of my many character flaws.” 3) “Patience, unfortunately has never been my strong suit.”
I’m a sucker for happy endings, so I was excited to see that Logan and Savannah were planning on getting married again. They went away on a honeymoon, never to be the same again. Logan spotted an airplane crash site and reported it. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be a good samaritan. His call led to criminals abducting Savannah to blackmail him into flying the dirty goods out of the state. I was very, very, very SHOCKED at what happened on page 235!!! I never expected that! It was cool that the author David Freed wasn’t afraid to go there. The ending gave me hope for Logan because let’s face it, he was my favorite character throughout the book.
I loved all the tension between Logan and his suspects of Savannah’s kidnapping. He wasn’t playing around! The end of the book made me sad (in a good way).
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
May 29, 2014
This book was very fast paced. I never knew what was going to happen next. I definitely enjoyed it even though I hadn't read any of the previous books. It seemed like the main character was trying hard to get on the good path and make a life for himself but it just wasn't in the cards. I'm not sure I enjoyed the outcome of everything that happened but it definitely was a book full of surprises. I definitely read it quite quickly because I couldn't put it down.
I received this book free from a goodreads contest :)
I received this book free from a goodreads contest :)
October 14, 2020
Love the narrator; a huge fan of Ray Porter. This is my first David Freed book (via audible). I don't think I missed much in terms of the previous 2 Logan books as Freed kindly gives a lot of background regarding the primary characters.
I'm disappointed in the amount of unnecessary information and misinformation. Regardless, I had some idea as to who-did-it early on. It was pretty obvious. But I'm completely confused as to Logan going to a painting class with his landlady given what happened. What was the point of that? I had similar questions throughout the book.
Most complain about the dark direction the book goes . Unfortunately, it is far more realistic than the idealized version people (including me) hoped for.
I'm not sure if it is worth moving along to the next book if only to see what Logan will do now.
I'm disappointed in the amount of unnecessary information and misinformation. Regardless, I had some idea as to who-did-it early on. It was pretty obvious. But I'm completely confused as to Logan going to a painting class with his landlady given what happened. What was the point of that? I had similar questions throughout the book.
Most complain about the dark direction the book goes . Unfortunately, it is far more realistic than the idealized version people (including me) hoped for.
I'm not sure if it is worth moving along to the next book if only to see what Logan will do now.
August 10, 2018
I enjoyed Voodoo Ridge immesly. It was from the beginning a page Turner and I am hooked on the characterCordell Logan a retired Natonal security
Assassin who is now a struggling flight instructor.
He and his ex wife are flying to lake Tahoe to get remarried as Savannah is pregnant with Logan's child on his way to Tahoe he sights a crashed plane and reports it to the authorities. They ask him to help in the search that is also being done by murderous predators. Savannah is kidnapped and Logan goes on the hunt for the kidnappers and murders. I give this book 4.5 stars I am going to read the next one the three nine line. I recommend this book
Assassin who is now a struggling flight instructor.
He and his ex wife are flying to lake Tahoe to get remarried as Savannah is pregnant with Logan's child on his way to Tahoe he sights a crashed plane and reports it to the authorities. They ask him to help in the search that is also being done by murderous predators. Savannah is kidnapped and Logan goes on the hunt for the kidnappers and murders. I give this book 4.5 stars I am going to read the next one the three nine line. I recommend this book
September 3, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery-thriller. In this excellent series I read #4 first, and then started at the beginning. Voodoo Ridge is quite good, but not at the top of the pile. I've given two of the books in this series 5 stars.
This one had a slow start, including David Freed's wit, which usually I truly dig. Everything picked up in the second half and I couldn't stop turning the pages. It was a little sorrowful due to a twist I didn't quite see coming or believed would come. Overall lots of action and humor in this fast paced novel that I highly recommend.
This one had a slow start, including David Freed's wit, which usually I truly dig. Everything picked up in the second half and I couldn't stop turning the pages. It was a little sorrowful due to a twist I didn't quite see coming or believed would come. Overall lots of action and humor in this fast paced novel that I highly recommend.
August 13, 2025
2.75 stars rounded up. This book tails off fairly steeply from the first two books of the series. The protagonist(s) are beginning to be more and more unlikable and cliched (especially the over-the top Jewish lady that is his neighbor) and I found myself looking forward to the end of the audiobook with 3+ hours left. Even the ending is anticlimactic and silly. I already purchased the next book in the series, but if it doesn’t strengthen out of the gate, I will move on to something else by someone else.
September 5, 2020
I really liked the story, despite my not appreciating the writer's humor.
As a low vision listener, I appreciate the readers. I just wish that they could speak with the writers and not mispronounce the really important words that are going to be repeated throughout the book. I almost stopped reading within the first half hour. I used to stop, but with this one, I would have missed a great idea.
As a low vision listener, I appreciate the readers. I just wish that they could speak with the writers and not mispronounce the really important words that are going to be repeated throughout the book. I almost stopped reading within the first half hour. I used to stop, but with this one, I would have missed a great idea.
January 13, 2025
I didn’t like what happened in the story. It’s not that I didn’t like how it was written, but I didn’t like the story. But overall, it was as always, well written and entertaining. I feel it could’ve used a little bit different approach on stuff, but I’m not writing it, so who am I to say? I’m quite eager to read the next one.
Of course, Ray Porter remains a flat out amazing narrator- I buy whatever he narrates!
Of course, Ray Porter remains a flat out amazing narrator- I buy whatever he narrates!
October 17, 2017
As you might know from my previous reviews, I am totally in LOVE with Cordell Logan. This book, however, wasn't my all time fave. It was totally readable, and had an interesting story line, but it was pretty tough to take. I won't say why, as that's a total spoiler, but it had sad points.
Still worth a read just because of the awesome characters.
Still worth a read just because of the awesome characters.
January 18, 2021
It’s been a while since I read a Logan adventure. Throne was good, but it seemed like a build up to future directions of the series. Now Logan is taking a different turn, looking forward to the next episode. Not that this one was bad. It has some sadness and a bit of a mystery, but it’s like a transitional part of the series.
January 12, 2022
I wasn’t sure I’d like like this book or not but I really couldn’t put it down. It really kept you guessing until the end. I’m really interested to know what’s going to happen in the next book. Obviously there’s going to be a huge shift in the story lines of the series. But whatever happens next I hope we get to see more of Mrs. Shmuglowitz because I love her!
January 23, 2018
This book is a great one! If you don't have a lot of time to read, like me and you want a good mystery. Read this one. The books are pretty much stand alone but you don't get the full ground as you would if you read the first one.
July 4, 2018
Easily readable mystery with some twists and turns and I did not see the ending coming-
I guess I like smart ass bad boys for my detectives. I loved Parker's Spenser and this guy reminds me of him.
I guess I like smart ass bad boys for my detectives. I loved Parker's Spenser and this guy reminds me of him.
September 4, 2025
This fast-paced mystery is an excellent addition to the series. The narration was spot on. I look forward to the next adventure! (That said, the book ends at a transitional point for Logan, so it is a good spot to 'step off' the series for a bit if you have other books piling up.)
October 5, 2017
A great mystery but a hard read.
July 6, 2018
I still liked it and will read the next one. It was ok.
August 13, 2018
Solid third. Ill start the fourth tomorrow.
January 3, 2019
I enjoyed this third in the Cordell Logan series... good mystery... and I enjoy the back story as well. Looking forward to the next one...
July 3, 2019
This one surprised me. Glad Audible brought back the original narrator - he's much better than the one used for book 2. Well, I'm off to listen to #4 in the series.
November 9, 2020
I downloaded this audiobook because the plot sounded like one of my favorite books, A SIMPLE PLAN by Scott Smith. Really enjoyed it.
April 18, 2021
I liked this book but hate this book because of what happened vs. what could have happened. The ending leaves many possibilities for the next installment. Surprise at the bad guy.
August 1, 2021
Predictable plot and generic characters but the MC is witty and Rey Potter is a great narrator so I listened to the end.
March 13, 2022
Audible Audiobooks Library 📚
April 21, 2022
This series is entertaining and the dialogue between Logan and the landlord is hilarious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews